Portable elevator



G. A. EMERSON.

PORTABLE ELEVATOR.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 19, 1919.

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PORTABLE ELEVATOR.

APPLHCATION FILED FEB. 19, 1919.

Patented Apr. 13, 1920.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

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G. A. EMERSON.

PORTABLE ELEVATOR.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 19, 1919.

1,336,949. Patented Apr. 13, 1920.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

ATTORNEYS UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE A. EMERSON, OF SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO HARLEY S. BAGLEY,

CF SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA.

PORTABLE ELEVATOR.

Application filed February To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Gnouen A. Ennnsoy, a citizen of the United States, residing at San Francisco, in the count of San Frair cisco and State of Californizu have invented new and useful Improvements in Portable Elevators, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a portable elevator.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a simple, substantial and easily operated portable elevator designed for traveling on, or climbing, a single cable, whether the cable is disposed in a horizontal, vertical or inclined position.

Another object of the invention is to provide a pair of novel traction members for gripping the cable and propelling the elevator and in conjunction therewith to provide a manually operated mechanism for tranr mitting power to the tractors.

Another object of the invention is to provide a sectional frame for the support of the operator, the tractors and the mechanism for transmitting power thereto. which frame may be quickly opened or closed to permit the elevator to straddle the cable when in use or to be removed therefrom, as will hereinafter be more fully described. Further objects'will hereinafter appear.

The invention consists of the parts and the construction, combination and arrangement of parts as hereinafter more fully described and claimed, having reference to the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a side elevation of a portable elevator, showing it in position to climb a single cable.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged front view of a portable elevator.

3 is an enlarged side elevation of the same.

Fig. 4 is a cross section of the portable elevator.

Fig; 5 is a perspective view of one of the chain links employed.

Referring to the drawings in detail, A indicates in general a portable elevator designed to travel or climb a single cable, regardless of the position thereof; that is, the cable may be disposed vertically, as shown in 'Figs. 1 and 2. or may be disposed in a horizontal position or onan incline. The

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 13, 1920.

Serial No. 278,033.

elevator consists of two frame sections. as shown at 2 and 3, which are secured together by means of turnbuckle links at and 7 Supported by the sections frame is a pair of endless tractors generally indicated at 6 and 7, and also supported by the frame is a boatswains chair 8 or other suitable support and a manually operated mechanism 9 from which power is transmitted to operate the tractors 6 and 7.

The tractors are similar in construction and consist of a pair of endless sprocket chains 10 and 11 which are supported by means of sprocket wheels 12 and 13. Each chain consists of links 141 which are connected by means of pad blocks l5,'see the link plates connecting each block being pivotally attached to a projecting pin 16 formed on each side of each block. The inner face of each block is recessed or concaved, as shown at 17, to fit the contour or outer circumference of the rope or cable 18 employed, and each pad therefore serves the function of a gripping and propellingmember as several of the blocks engage opposite sides of the cable in unison when in operation, see particularly Fig. 2. For the purpose of maintaining the cable in alinement with the blocks, I provide two pairs of guide rollers, such as shown at 18 and 18. These rollers are grooved or concaved, as shown, and, as the cable passes between the same, it can readily be seen that alinement is maintained.

Power to drive the respective tractors comprising the sprocket chains 6 and 7 and the pad blocks carried thereby, transmitted to a pair of shafts l9 and 20 through means of a pair of worm gears 21, a shaft 22 and a pair of hand cranks 23, one being disposed on each side of the sectional frame. Turning movement of the shaft 22 by means of the hand cranks 23 is transmitted through the worm gears 21 to a pair of worm gears 24, secured one on each of the shafts shown at 19 and 20, and as the sprocket wheels 13 are secured on said shafts, it can readily be seen that a continuous movement will be imparted to the sprocket chain and the pad blocks carried thereby. If it is desired to climb the cable it is only necessary to turn the hand ranks in one dirction and if it is desired to lower the elevator on the cable it is merely necessary to reverse the more ment of the hand cranks. Similarly, if it is desired to stop or to retain the elevator stationary at any point along the cable, it is only necessary to release the cranks. The

' worm gearing provided will in that instance merely tightening the turnbuckle link 4.

Also it is possible to further tighten the l 7 l 1 L 1 u grip of i116 pads by adgusting the position of the turnbuckle links 5. These are ordinarily tightened or released by turning a hand wheel 28 which is secured to a threaded sleeve 29. They may, however, be further tightened while the elevator is in position on the cable by merely pulling downwardly on a handle extension 3') which may be socured to the sleeve 29 by merely tightening a thumb screw 31 which is adapted to engage recesses 32 formed on the outer surface of the sleeve.

The turnbuckle links i and 5 also serve another function, to-wit: that of separating the respective frame sections 2 and 3 when it is desired to remove the elevator with relation to the cable or vice versa when placing the same in position. For instance, both turnbuckles 4c and 5 may be entirely unscrewed, thus separating the frames or opening the same to such an extent that the cable may be passed between the frame sections and the tractors and then clamped in position by tightening the turnbuckle links or the frames may be slightly separated, if desired, by partly unscrewing the turnb ckle links. A quick and readily operated releasing or tightening mechanism is thus provided which may be manipulated without the assistance of special tools or skilled mechanics.

The possibilities of the machine are varied. The device shown is adaptable to a wide range of trades and conditionsany thing, in fact, where the scaling of a wall, steeple, the sides or rigging of a ship, for the purpose of painting, repairing or rigis required, supplanting block and tackle, falls, slings, etc, inci sing the efficiency and cutting down the re, labor and expense of such work. The machine climbs a single rope rapidly, and is capable of lifting and supporting a weight far in excess of the ordinary needs of painters, steeple-jacks, riggers, etc. No tackle or gear other than the single rope is necessary. The operator attaches his machine to the rope, gets into his boatswains chaii, and climbs by simply turning one or both of the cranks. ll hen he reaches the desired height he lets and performs his work. pulling at ropes, no lashing to insure a stationary position. He descends by turning There is 110' the cranks in the opposite direction. He may stop at any point in the descent, move as often as he likes, and be always certain that his seat is held securely in place.

It may, if used by firemen, in some cases supplant the scaling ladder; and should prove invaluable as a life-saving device, carrying persons from the windows of a burning building to the windows of another building, even across the widest streets, down a vertical or slanting rope to the ground, or from a stranded ship to another ship or to the shore.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is- 1. A. portable elevator comprising a pair of endless sprocket chains arranged on ope posite sides of a cable and members on each chain adapted to grip the cable, two pairs of sprocket wheels, one pair for each sprocket chain, adapted to receive and drive' each chain, a pair of separate frames one for each pair of sprocket wheels, means for connecting the frames, said means permitting adjustment of the frames to or awav from each other, and means for driving the sprocket wheels and chains carried thereby in unison.

2. A portable elevator comprising a frame adapted to straddle a single cable, sprocket wheels journaled in the upper portion of the frame, and in the lower portion of the frame, an endless sprocket chain carried by each pair of sprocket wheels and arranged on opposite sides of the cable, pad blocks carried by each sprocket chain adapted to grip the cable, means for increasing or decreasing the grip between thepad blocks and the cable, and manually operated means carried by the elevator adapted to transmit power to rotate the lower s rocket wheels in unison and in either direction, said means I comprising a shaft journaled in the frame,

hand cranks on said shaft, and gears connectmgthe shaft with a shaft supporting the lower sprocket wheels to permitturning movement of the hand cranks and shaft to which they are connected to be transmitted to drive the sprocket wheels.

3. A portable elevator comprising a frame adapted to straddle a single cable, a pair of sprocket wheels journaled in the upper portion of the-frame, a pair of sprocket wheels journaled in the lower portion of the frame, endless sprocket chains carried by the sprocket wheels and arranged on opposite sides of the cable, pad blocks carried by each sprocket chain adapted to grip the cable, means for increasing or decreasing the grip between the pad blocks and the cable, and manually operated means carried by the elevator, adapted to transmit power to rotate the lower sprocket wheels in' unison and in either direction, said means comprising a shaft journaled in the frame, hand cranks on said shaft, a pair of worm gears secured on said shaft, a pair of shafts supporting the lower sprocket wheels and a pair of worms, one on each of said shafts engaging the first named worm gears.

4 A portable elevator comprising a frame adapted to straddle a single cable, a pair of sprocket wheels journaled in the upper portion of the frame, a pair of sprocket wheels j ournaled in the lower portion of the frame, endless sprocket chains carried by the sprocket wheels and arranged on opposite sides of the cable, pad blockscarried by each sprocket chainadapted to grip the cable, means for increasing or decreasing the grip between the pad blocks and the cable, and manually operated means carried by the elevator, adapted to transmit power to rotate the lower sprocket wheels in unison and in either direction, said means comprising a shaft journaled in the frame, hand cranks on said shaft, a pair of worm gears secured on said shaft, a pair of shafts supporting the lower sprocket wheels and a pair of worms, one on each of said shafts engaging the first named worm gears, and means carried by the elevator for guiding the cable and maintaining the same in alinement with the gripping pads carried by the sprocket chains.

5. A portable elevator comprising a twopiece frame adapted to straddle a single cable, a pair of sprocket wheels journaled in each frame section, an endless sprocket chain carried by each pair of sprocket wheels, said sprocket chains being positioned on opposite sides of the cable, gripping pads arried by each link of each chain, adapted to engage and grip the cable, means for securing the respective frame sections of the elevator with relation to each other, said means being adjustable to increase or decrease the grip of the gripping pads carried by the sprocket chains, and means carried by the frame sections for transmitting power to drive the sprocket chains in unison.

6. A portable elevator comprising a twopiece frame adapted to straddle a single cable, a pair of sprocket wheels journaled in each frame section, an endless sprocket chain carried by each pair of sprocket wheels, said sprocket chains being positioned on opposite sides of the cable, gripping pads carried by each link of each chain, adapted to engage and grip the cable, means for securing the respective frame sections of the elevator with relation to each other, said means be ing adjustable to increase or decrease the grip of the gripping pads carried by the sprocket chains, a shaft supporting one of each pair of sprocket wheels, a worm gear on each of said shafts, a driving shaft journaled in the respective frame sections and a pair of worm gears secured on said shaft, meshing with the'lirst named Worm gears.

7. A portable elevator comprising a two-piece frame adapted to straddle a single cable, a pair of sprocket wheels jonrnaled in each frame section, an endless sprocket chain carried by each pair of sprocket wheels, said sprocket chains being positioned on opposite sides of the cable, gripping pads carried by each link of each chain, adapted to engage and grip the cable, means for securing the respective frame sections of the elevator with relation to each other, said means being adjustable to increase or decrease the grip of the gripping pads carried by the sprocket chains, a shaft supporting one of each pair of sprocket wheels, a worm gear on each of said shafts, a driving shaft ournaled in the respective frame sections and a pair of worm gears secured on said shaft, meshing with the first named worm gears, and means carried by the elevator for transmitting power to the driving shaft.

8. A portable elevator comprising a twopiece frame adapted to straddle a single cable, a pair of sprocket wheels journaled in each frame section, an endless sprocket chain carried by each pair of sprocket wheels, said sprocket chains being positioned on opposite sides of the cable, gripping pads carried by each link of each chain, adapted to engage and grip the cable, means for securing the respective frame sections of the elevator with relation to each other, said means being adjustable to increase or decrease the grip of the gripping pads carried by the sprocket chains, a shaft supporting one of each pair of sprocket wheels, a worm gear on each of said shafts, a driving shaft journaled in the respective frame sections, a pair of worm gears secured on said shaft, meshing with the first named worm gears, and a pair of hand cranks secured on the driving shaft to rotate the same.

9. A portable elevator comprising a two piece frame adapted to straddle a single cable, a pair of sprocket wheels journaled in each frame section, an endless sprocket chain carried by each pair of sprocket wheels, said sprocket chains being positioned on opposite sides of the cable, gripping pads carried by each link of each chain, adapted to engage and grip the cable, means for securing the respective frame sections of the elevator with relation to each other, said means being adjustable to increase or decrease the grip of the gripping pads carried by the sprocket chains, a shaft supporting one of each pair of sprocket wheels, a worm gear on each of said shafts, a driving shaft journaled in the respective frame sections, :1. pair of worm gears secured on said shaft, meshing with the first named worm gears, a pair of hand cranks secured on the driving shaft to rotate the same, and means carried by the respective frame sections for maintaining the cable in alinement with the gripping blocks carried by the respective sprocket chains.

10. A portable elevator comprising a twopiece frame adapted to straddle a single cable, a pair of sprocket wheels journaled in each frame section, an endless sprocket chain carried by each pair of sprocket wheels, said sprocket chains being positioned on opposite sides of the cable, gripping pads carried by each link of each chain, adapted to engage and grip the cable, means for securing the respective frame sections of the elevator with relation to each other, said means being adjustable to increase or decrease the grip of the gripping pads carried by the sprocket chains, a shaft supporting one of each pair of sprocket wheels, a worm gear on each of said shafts, a driving shaft journaled in the respective frame sections, a pair of Worm gears secured on said shaft, meshing with the first named worm gears, a pair of hand cranks secured on the driving shaft to rotate the same, and means carried by the respective frame sections for maintaining the cable in alinement with the gripping blocks carried by the respective sprocket chains, and a chair carried by the frame sections for'the support of an operator.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

GEORGE A. EMERSON.-

WVitnesses C. D. OCoNNoR, T'Hos. J. OCoNNoR. 

